“The fact that a ‘sanatani’ threw a shoe at the chief justice shows that ‘sanatanis’ and orthodox elements still exist in society.” – Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Chief Minister
MYSURU
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday urged citizens to be cautious of the RSS, Sangh Parivar, and “sanatanis,” stressing that these groups have historically opposed BR Ambedkar and the Constitution he framed. Speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of Mysore University and the inauguration of the new Jnana Darshana building, Siddaramaiah said, “Keep your company right. Associate with those who stand for society, not with those who oppose social change or with ‘sanatanis.’”
Referring to the recent incident in which a shoe was thrown at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, he said the act highlighted the persistence of orthodox elements in society. “This should be condemned not just by Dalits but by everyone. Only then can society move forward,” Siddaramaiah added.
Accusing the BJP and Sangh Parivar of spreading false propaganda in Ambedkar’s name, he said, “They are spreading lies that the Congress defeated Ambedkar in the elections. But the truth is what Ambedkar himself wrote in his own handwriting ‘Savarkar and Dange defeated me.’ Such truths must be placed before society to expose the falsehoods of the Sangh Parivar.”
He praised Ambedkar as a visionary who used knowledge to transform society. Siddaramaiah accused the BJP and Sangh Parivar of spreading false claims about Ambedkar, pointing out that Ambedkar himself noted in his handwriting that he was defeated by Savarkar and Dange, not by the Congress. He said such truths should be highlighted to counter Sangh Parivar propaganda.
Siddaramaiah also spoke about the Ambedkar School of Economics, which he established to help students follow Ambedkar’s ideals. He emphasized that Ambedkar’s study of global constitutions allowed him to craft India’s Constitution suited to its society.
Highlighting the importance of rationality and scientific thinking, Siddaramaiah praised Mysore University’s Ambedkar Study Centre and the new ‘Vishwa Jnani Ambedkar Sabha Bhavana.’ He stressed that education should be an opportunity available to all, not an inherited privilege, and reiterated that Ambedkar’s vision used knowledge as a tool for social transformation.
